ImmunisationâEUR
Hepatitis B is an infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It affects the liver, causing damage to liver cells. It is a common cause of illness and death worldwide. Some people who get hepatitis B become quite unwell several weeks after ... [... more]
Child & Youth Health |
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
About 1 in 1,000 children develop juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). They will develop painful, swollen and hot joints, and they will usually be affected for several months or longer. The body's immune system protects the body from viruses or ... [... more]
Child & Youth Health |
Managing cold sores in the mouth
Cold sores are caused by a virus called herpes simplex virus (HSV). Cold sores are very common. About 20% of children will have been infected by the age of 5 years and about 80% of people will have been infected by the time they are adults. After ... [... more]
Child & Youth Health |
What is cytomegalovirus?
Cytomegalovirus is a common virus worldwide. Healthy children and adults usually have no illness when they are infected, but some can get an illness similar to glandular fever. It can cause some major health problems. If they do become unwell, ... [... more]
Child & Youth Health |
Spread of RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in young children under the age of 12 months. RSV infections are very common. About 50% of children first get the infection before they are 12 months old, ... [... more]
Child & Youth Health |
Viral encephalitis
Viral encephalitis is inflammation of the brain caused by a virus. The major risk is permanent brain damage. Children aged one year or less and adults aged 55 years and over are more vulnerable to life threatening complications. Viral ... [... more]
Better Health |
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is a natural reaction of the body to injury, and often causes swelling and tenderness. Hepatitis can be caused by alcohol, chemicals, drugs and viruses. There are several different types of ... [... more]
Child & Youth Health |
HPV and cervical cancer
Genital warts are very common sexually transmitted infections. The genital wart viruses (types of Human Papilloma viruses or HPVs) are different from the viruses that cause the warts that people get on their hands and feet. Many people have HPV ... [... more]
Child & Youth Health |
Smallpox - Better Health Channel.
Smallpox is caused by the variola virus or Orthopoxvirus. Smallpox was once a feared viral disease. An aggressive immunisation campaign eradicated smallpox by 1979 but small stocks of the virus remain in laboratories. Smallpox is caused by the ... [... more]
Better Health |
Viral haemorrhagic fever
Viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) is an extremely infectious and life threatening disease caused by a group of viruses which includes the Ebola virus. There is no cure or vaccination, and the death rate for VHF can be as high as 90 per cent. Viral ... [... more]
Better Health |
HIV and gay men - safe sex
Gay HIV positive men with HIV negative partners can still enjoy physically intimate relationships if they follow safe sex practices. It is important to remember that the virus is transmitted by bodily fluids - for men this includes, blood, ... [... more]
Better Health |
HIV testing
It is advisable to be tested for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) if you are at risk of becoming infected. Early detection and treatment can help people with HIV to stay healthy and delays the onset of complications of HIV infection including ... [... more]
Better Health |
